Bully Hen??? What should I do?

[ccons]

I have one hen, Lucy, who very clearly seems to be at the top of the pecking order. Randomly throughout the day she will target two other hens of mine, and either peck at their head or fluff up and almost chest-bump them out of nowhere.

I have food and water in many different places, and she only does this to two of them (I have 5 total)

They are about two years old, and they have gotten along so well until just recently. Should I take Lucy (the bully) out? Should she be able to see the rest of the girls or should she be elsewhere?

Or any other suggestions?
I just don't want any injured girls
Thank you!

 

[sourland]

In chicken society someone always has to be in charge. As long as she is not physically injuring the other birds I would not upset the social structure. The next in command might be even more brutal given the opportunity.

 

[ccons]

In chicken society someone always has to be in charge.  As long as she is not physically injuring the other birds I would not upset the social structure.  The next in command might be even more brutal given the opportunity.

Thanks for the reply! She pecked at one's wattle and made her bleed a tiny bit, and when they go into the coop at night I sometimes hear commotion and inside there's always my one hen on the floor while the others are perched on the roost. I'm just concerned that it might get worse when I'm not around to monitor them.

 

[aart]

Quote: Welcome to BYC!

Agrees with Sourland.

Roost time rumbles are a given, happens in just about every flock every night.
It's spring and hormones are surging, pecking orders may be changing as birds come back into lay at different times.
As long as you've got plenty of space for your 5 birds, I would let them work it out.